Chapter 12: A/N I do not own merlin or anyone else, other than Cassie. Italics are Latin, Cassie's taken gaius' advice to heart andis speaking in English as much as she can, unless she wants to keep something from certain ears (Sir Leon) or she forgets the word in English-it happens all the time to me but Spanish/English not Latin. By the way, does anyone know what the cook's name is? I can't remember it and if I try looking for it on the show, I'll just spend a whole four days watching nothing but merlin and forget about the world- ad possibly gain like five pounds cause i know i won't move at all from the couch:[:P
As the party of four made their way towards the market, slowly for Cassie to not jostle her leg too much per Gaius' instructions-NO ONE wanted to be on the receiving end of one of his looks-Sir Leon hung back to allow them their privacy.
"Is he always like this? Keeping his distance? I mean Sir Bruin actually kept pace with us and spoke to us, Sir Leon's kind of.." Cassie said, fading at the end
"Remember I told you I was raised in his household?" Gwen waited for affirmation then continued. "Well, he was always taught that when you were on duty, it's just that. So I suppose he's just like this when on official duty. Other than that, he's actually quite a funny guy. Not as serious as you would expect." Gwen finished.
"He must be a very good knight, then. I doubt I've seen him smile in the time I've been in Camelot." Cassie stated.
"Perhaps you should tell him a joke? Know any?" Gwen offered.
"None that would make sense in English. Some things just get lost in translation." Cassie replied.
"So just make conversation, or mime. Actually if you want to see him smile, mime. That's certain to do it." Morgana teased.
"Oh, ha ha very funny." Cassie said sarcastically, rolling her eyes at the two Camelotians. "So, Sir Leon, Gwen said you two grew up together?" Cassie asked slowly, practicing the little English she had picked up.
"Yes, her mother worked on our lands, she was a servant in the manor, I remember she used to bring Gwen in to help and learn to be a handmaiden."
"My mother taught me what I needed to know for my future too, how to sew, and needlepoint, stitching and cleaning wounds in case of an emergency…" She started before sighing wistfully.
"You must miss your family very much. Do you plan to go back to Hispania?" Sir Leon asked.
"No, there's nothing there for me. Not anymore. I just want to start anew. This seems as good a place as any." Cassie replied "Ooh, this is beautiful!" She said about a silver pin with black stone inlaid in an intricate pattern.
"It is! You have a very good eye! Gwen, you think it'll match those silver earrings? The ones with a setting of chalcedony."
"Certainly, it would go great on that pale pink dress of yours with the flowers embroidered in silver thread or on that white one with sheer sleeves." Gwen commented.
"So how long have you been a knight? Did you always want to be one?" Cassie asked while Morgana and Gwen looked over some more pins and brooches.
"Yeah, I suppose I've always wanted to become a knight. I've been a knight since I was seventeen years old. But I've lived in Camelot since I was a squire. It'll be thirteen years since I moved away from my family's lands to Camelot." Sir Leon said.
"That makes you….twenty-four?" Cassie asked
"Good at math too." Leon nodded approvingly.
"Back home the youngest to become soldiers were around twelve, I assumed it was the same here."
"Yes, most become squires at around thirteen, but since I have older brothers who already were knights, I started earlier at eleven. My eldest brother is set to take over the Lordship of our lands."
And so they carried on, spending hours looking at jewelry, and fabrics, and the like at the market, occasionally making small talk and getting to know the other knight.. When they were finished looking through the stalls, they decided to go back up to have lunch.
"My Lady, Gwen the morning has been divine, truly, but I must go back to Gaius'. I have to begin my training at some point." Cassie said apologetically.
"We understand, wouldn't want the future Court Physician to be known for slacking off." Gwen said jokingly.
"I expect you'll also be wanting a break from walking all over. We should have taken that under consideration, I apologize." Morgana said.
"No! Honestly I needed some fresh air. Thank you for the tour, Morgana, Gwen. But I really must be getting back. I've seen the looks Gaius gives when he wants to admonish someone, and quite frankly I don't want to be on the receiving end of it. Again." Cassie said sheepishly.
"Yes we've all been on the receiving end of those at one point in our life." Morgana chuckled.
"About thrice a day for me." Gwen said sheepishly.
Cassie laughed, a tinkling clear laugh that made everyone in the room brighten up. "Makes me feel slightly better." Cassie said nodding with a bright smile gracing her features.
"Goodbye, Cassie. We'll speak later, okay? Oh! Don't forget the dress and cloak!"
"Of course, Gwen! Thank you! I'll ask Gaius if it's okay, but drop by anytime!" She said brightly.
"My lady, Gwen." Sir Leon acknowledged as a goodbye.
"So how old are you?" Sir Leon asked once they were a ways down the hall.
"Nineteen." Cassie replied chuckling.
"You don't really seem nineteen. I figured you were younger."
"It's the way I talk, I think. Gaius said the same."
"Sir Owaine is but two years older than you." Sir Leon told her with a teasing grin while Cassie only sputtered and blushed.
"Sir Bruin told me. And you're all Owaine ever talks about anyways. Hasn't shut up about you the whole time since you got here."
"Seems I've brought some kindling to light the gossip mill, does it not?"
"Unfortunately, I don't speak Latin."
"I am all the talk is about. It has only been 5 days, surely they will tire of me. Move on to another topic."
"The ladies of the court, maybe. Hard to see Owaine move on too soon. You've caught his eye. Truly, you've caught the eye of most Knights. We saw you and the Lady Morgana at the training fields this morning, and half of them commented on your unrivaled beauty when we stopped for water. They haven't trained like that in a long time! You should show up every day, get them to train harder." Leon joked. All Cassie could do was blush even harder, although she only understood half of what he said.
"You flatter me too much, Sir Leon. I am not nearly as beautiful as Guinevere or Lady Morgana or Lady Eleanor. It's just the un-know-ingness behind me." Cassie said shily, tripping over her words.
"I think you mean mystery. Unknowingness isn't really a word." Leon chuckled.
"Oh. thank you, Sir Leon." Cassie said embarrassed.
"No need, you'll know more languages than most nobles once you speak English. It's just a matter of learning." Leon replied.
"Ah, Sir Leon, Cassie. I was looking for you. Time for your training to officially begin. I've just left the King, he gave me official approval to have you as my apprentice once I told how much it was needed."
"Are you saying I have a job?!" Cassie asked excitedly.
"That is precisely what I'm saying, my dear."
"Ahh!" She squealed happily as she hugged the older men. '¡Por fin! ¡Ya no estoy aquí viviendo de gracia de alguien! Tengo trabajo y todo! Mi primer trabajo!'
"All right. No need for such excitement. We'll start you off with herblore. For now, you will collect the herbs for the potions and salves we will begin making. Winter is approaching."
"Winter's not for another four months, Gaius." Leon stated.
"Yes, but I need all the herbs before the seasons change. Won't get any herbs during the winter months, and I will need as much as possible."
"It's okay! Let's go! ¡Tengo mi primer trabajo! Haré todo lo posible para no decepcionarles." She said starting towards the physicians chambers excitedly. Gaius and Leon just exchanged amused looks before following the girl.